Portable boiler flame chamber



INVENTOR'.

Hi5 ATT NEY.

June 23, 1942. J. w. ADAMS PORTABLE BOILER FLAME CHAMBER Filed Aug. 15, 1939 FIG. 2

June 23, 1942. J; w. ADAMS PORTABLE BOILER FLAME CHAMBER Filed Aug. is, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -FIE. 3. =12

. INVENTOR: J wfs 14/ 4 B I 4 e Hi5 A RNEY.

Patented June 23, 1942 PORTABLE BOILER FLAME CHAD/[BER James W.

Adams, Dallas, Tex, assignor to Oil Well Supply Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 15, 1939, Serial No. 290,283

(Cl. llll87) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to portable steam boilers of a type peculiarly well suited for supplying steam to engines such as used for drilling oil wells and the like, and aims particularly to provide a structure constituting a flame chamber which in oil field parlance is known as a ducks nest. This flame chamber structure includes a brick lining which is supported by steel framework, certain members of which constitute skids for facilitating transportation and installation at different locations.

The invention will be fully apparent from the following disclosure, when. read in connection with the accompanying drawings and will be defined with particularity in theappended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a portable locomotive type boiler equipped with a portable flame chamber embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan of the flame chamber structure with the boiler removed;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the firebox of the boiler and the flame chamber structure, the View being taken approximately on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on line IVIV of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a detailed cross-sectional View showing one method of attaching a refractory lining to the flame chamber.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral l0 represents a locomotive type of boiler with the usual firebox portion l2, including the water legs l4 and the usual fire tubes [6, all of conventional form. At the .base portion of the water legs the boiler is provided with the usual mud ring I8 which rests directly on the portable flame chamber structure of the present invention. The fiamechamber of this invention can also be made integral with or permanently attached to the firebox section of the boiler.

This flame chamber structure includes parallel side members 20 and 22 which are preferably in the form of stock size rolled steel structural members, such as I-beams, channels or the like, which are readily obtainable from steel fabricators. The bottom flanges of the members 20 and 22 are bent or curved upwardly at the ends as indicated at 24 and 26, to facilitate traction when the structure is pulled along the ground. When so pulled, the side members serve as skids or runners.

Extending transversely between the members 20 and 22 near one end of the structure there is Y a member 28 which is also preferably a stock rolled flange section, such as an I-beam or channel. At the end opposite the member 28, cross channels 30 and 32 span the space between the longitudinal members 20 and 22. The channels are connected at their ends with uprights 34,

thus forming an open ended frame. A burner pipe 36 extends transversely across the upper portion of said frame and is provided with a plurality of burner nozzles 38. These nozzles are directed downwardly and inwardly at a suitable angle; for example, at an angle of approximately 14 degrees from the horizontal line where the firebox is approximately seven feet in length as measured longitudinally. With such an arrangement, there is very little likelihood of any entering air passing directly into the tubes without first passing through the combustion zone. The burner pipe 36 pierces the webs of the uprights 34 as well as the webs of the members 20 and 22 and is connected with a gas supply line 40, as is also a pilot light pipe 42' leading to pilot light nozzles 44. The burner construction and arrangement described is advantageous in that the angle of the burners and their relationship to other parts may be assembled in the shop in a predetermined manner to suit the size of the installation. Therefore the danger of improper assembly in the field is obviated. Moreover, the field installation can be made by common labor, with an accompanying saving in erection cost and time.

The structure is brick so as to protect the metal elements thereof from the destructive action of the oxidizing atmosphere therein. The lining comprises a firebrick end Wall 46, and parallel side walls 43 and 50.

Novel means are provided, in accordance with the present invention, for securing the lining brickwork to the flanged structural members illustrated. Reference to Figure 5 will show that the bottom course of brick rests directly on the lower flange 52 of the I-beam illustrated. The remaining courses of brick are laid up in substantially parallel horizontal rows to a horizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance below the upper flange 54 of the I-beam. In order to firmly and yet releasably secure such brick lining to the I-beam, I provide, at suitable spaced intervals, a plurality of especially constructed holding means in the form of bolts 56. These holding means are all substantially identical, thus a description of the one illustrated in Figure 5 will sufiice for all. Each bolt 56 pierces the web of the I-beam at a point just below the fillet where the web unites with the flange. Advantage is taken ofthe fact that I-beams or similar structural members obtainable in the open market have the undersides of their flanges inclined with respect to their webs and outer faces of the flanges. Accordingly, the bolt is provided with a head 58 with tapered surfaces 60 and 62 adapted to contact respectively with the underside surfaces of the flange 54 and the upper face of the topmost brick 64 of the lining.

lined on three sides with fire- The shank of the bolt is inclined to the horizontal and its end is threaded at 66 for engagement with a nut 68 which is preferably seated on a skew Washer 13 of such cross sectional form that one face thereof bears squarely on the web of the I-beam and the other face thereof presents a face which is perpendicular to the axis of the bolt. With such specially headed bolts coacting with the washers described, it is apparent that by tightening the nuts 68 the oppositely inclined faces Bil and $2 of the bolt heads will wedgingly hold the brickwork in proper assembled relation with the webs and flanges of the several rolled structural members. Thus the steel work is adequately lined with a fire resistant lining whichcan conveniently be constructed of standard firebrick laid up in high temperature cement and, if desired, an overall wash of high temperature cement can be applied to the lining after the same is properly assembled and clamped in place with the wedge bolts described. In some cases, it is customary to provide a bridge wall to close or partially close the usual fire door of the boiler. In such case, a wall will be built up, as indicated at 72, the same resting in part on the top flange of the I-beam 28 and on the brick lining 4t adjacent thereto.

In some instances a course of brick, as indicated at 16, is placed on top of the lining of the flame chamber so as to protect the mud ring of the boiler.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the invention provides a portable flame chamber for use in connection with conventional portable locomotive type boilers. When it is desired to move the flame chamber about, the structure may be grappled by engaging the hooks of suitable tackle with openings I l formed in the Webs of the side beams 20 and 22 near the ends thereof.

In the flame chamber described, there is no bottom structure. These installations are usually set up in the oil country and the bottom may be formed of broken brick, gravel or the like. This is advantageous because it helps to bring about increased radiation in the firebox as Well as creating a turbulence of the fuel introduced and thus assists in promoting efiicient combustion which tends to prevent the burning out of the boiler flue sheets.

While I have described with great particularity the specific embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a portable locomotive type boiler having an open-bottom firebox and depending water legs, of a separable portable unitary flame chamber device therefor comprising a substantial continuation of the firebox and including a metal framework proportioned to receive and support said firebox by the water legs thereof, said device enclosing the open bottom of said firebox, the device having an inner refractory lining carried by and secured to the metal framework and defining a flame chamber disposed below said water legs and a burner mounted on said device for firing the boiler.

2. The combination with a portable locomotive type boiler having an open-bottom firebox and depending Water legs, of a separable portable unitary flame chamber device therefor comprising a substantial continuation of the firebox and including a rectangular framework proportioned to receive and support said firebox by the water legs thereof, said device enclosing the open bottom of said firebox, the device having an inner refractory lining secured to the metal framework and defining a flame chamber disposed below said water legs, said lining having upper edge portions extending into the firebox, and a burner fixedly mounted on said device for firing the boiler.

3. The combination with a portable locomotive type boiler having an open-bottom firebox and depending water legs, of a separable portable unitary flame chamber device therefor comprising a substantial continuation of the firebox and including a rectangular framework proportioned to receive and support said firebox by the water legs thereof, a refractory lining secured to the side members and one end member of the framework defining a flame chamber disposed below said water legs, the remaining end member of the device being substantially open permitting the entry of air to the chamber for combustion, and a burner fixedly mounted adjacent the open end of and directed inwardly and downwardly of the chamber for firing the boiler.

4. A separate flame chamber device for mounting and supporting a loco-motive type boiler by the water legs thereof, including a rectangular metal framework proportioned to extend beneath and engage said boiler water legs, a refractory lining secured to and within said framework defining a rectangular flame chamber extending below and open at its upper end for communication with the firebox of the boiler, and a burner mounted on said device for firing the boiler, said framework and lining comprising a unitary structure, and said framework including means upon which said device may be transported.

5. A separate flame chamber device for mounting and supporting a locomotive type boiler by the water legs thereof, including a rectangular metal framework proportioned to extend'beneath and engage said boiler water legs, a refractory lining secured to and within said framework defining a rectangular flame chamber extending below and open at its upper end for communication with the firebox of the boiler, and a burner mounted on said device and directed inwardly for initial combustion of the fuel supplied thereto within the flame chamber, said framework, lining and burner comprising a unitary structure, and said framework including members for transporting the said device.

6. A separate flame chamber device for mounting and supporting a locomotive type boiler by the water legs thereof, including a rectangular metal framework supporting the side water legs and including cross members supporting the front and rear water legs of the boiler, the portions of said framework supporting the side water legs comprising a pair of skid members for the device, a refractory lining secured to and within said framework defining a rectangular flame chamber extending below and open at its upper end for communication with the firebox of the boiler, and a burner mounted on said device for firing the boiler, the said framework, lining and burner comprising a unitary device.

JAMES W. ADAMS. 

